Daily Yellowstone journal., 1887-01-09
A SEASHORE LEGEND.


an old seaport town, whose glory has
long since departed. Its fast decayine
wharves had once echoed to the tread of
busy feet, and many very stately ships
had been moored beside them.
Now, as in my childhood days, no
proud ship finds haven in the still
waters of its harbor; its deserted ship
yards ring no more with the sound OF
AK or hammer; the busy hum of COM
merce is stilled, and silence, broken only
by the fisherman's call, or the merry
laughter of some yachting party, per-
vades what was once very busy, thriv-
ing place.
But commerce has left traces Of wealth
behind. and remember some old-fash-
ioned, though stately, houses standing
near the shore.
England's famous sea captains, and in
one of these old houses passed those
happy summer days.
The men Of the family had all been
sailors, commanding some Of the finest
and best known American ships. No
ports had been too distant for them, and
they brought home, as gifts, spoils from
every cline. Now. all these dead and
gone. the women of the family lived
alone, surrounded by treasures from over
the sea.
The old friend who had charge of us
was very fond of children, and was never
happier than when relating 10 us the
stories Of sea and shore with which her
mind was stored; and when rainy day
came, driving us from the beach, we
liked nothing better than TO listen 10 her
charming legends.
| l will repeat to you, as nearly as l can
remember, thes story of the elopemcnt
that took place many years ago. As
recall it, seem TO hear again the musical
voice. long since hushed, to which the
swapping of the driftwood fire upon the
hearth and the distant booming Of the
surf upon the beach, formed fitting
accompaniment.
A long time ago, when was a little
girl, the events happened that am about
to relate to you. Ny grandmother knew
/ all about it. and / often heard her tell the
story to the young folks, in my day, as 1
am telling it to you.
| In that large, old-fashioned house which
stands on the brow of Beach Hill lived a
very wealthy gentleman, called Judge
| Cushman.
| say he lived there, but he only spent
part of the time in the little town of
s.. for his business kept him in the
/ city during the winter months: but as
soon as the warm days came the house
would b. opened. and hc would ride
through tn town in his big coach, drawn
by four horses and driven by colored
coachman.
The Judge was a widower, and lived
alone with his servants and an old house.
keeper So you may imagine the sur
prise of the villagers one day early in the
spring of 1912 when they heard that
Squire Cushman, as he was called, had
brought homie with him lovely young
girl.
At first all thought that he had mar
ried again. but soon the report was circu-
lated that his niece had come from Eng
land alone. with only maid To attend
her, to visit him. And long visit We
all thought il would he. for war had Just
been declared with Great Britain, and
probably there would be no friendly in
tercourse between the two countries for
long time.
OF course all were anxious to see the
new conner. but none were gratiticd un-
til the following Sabbath. when she ap-
peared at church with the old squire.
She was a true English maiden. with
fair hair and lustrous blue eyes, and a
complexion in which Lilies and roses were
skillfully blended by natures hand. She
was the observed of all Observers, but
bore herself molestly, seeming uncon-
scious of the gaze Of all around her.
Many were the questions asked. many
the conjectures formed. as 10 her pres
ence in the lonely house. SO far from
home and in an enCmy's country: and
finally the mystery was solved 10y the
old housekccper, who divulged il as a
g 'eat secret to a friend of hers. an in
veterate gossip. who soon made the af-
fair the property Of the whole neighbor-
hood
Rose Cushman, the daughter Of the
squire's only brother, was a mothcrless
Child and had grown 10 wOnanhood
without knowing what il was la lie re-
fused the slightest wish, for she had al
ways been her fathers idol lie had
planned in her early childhood that she
should marry the son Of his most init
mate friend.
But such designs are rarely accom-
plished. Al the age Of ~ Rose met a
young and gallant officer in his ma iesty s
navy. and lost her heart almost at first
sight. The affection was reciprocated,
and, not dreaming Of any obstacle, the
lovers plighted their troth with the
fondest and brightest hopes for the
future.
But the father of Rose sternly refused
10 consent 10 their engagement. and for
babe Rose ever TO see her lover again.
But years of indulgence had not prepared
his daughter for such arbitrary measures,
and she continued TO meet her lover Sc
cretly whenever she was able TO do so.
One meeting in the park near the house
was witnessed by her father, and SO in
censed was he by this open defiance OF all
his commands that he ordered the brave
young sailor from his grounds, using ths
harshest language.
Rose returned to the house, locked her
self into her room and was soon con
vulsed with perfect passion Of tears: fol
under her sweet and charming exterior
she hid a viii that was just as strong and
unsubdued as her fathers.
In subsequent interviews with her fatbeI
she vowed she never could or would forge,